Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in San Dimas public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
13 issues with medium priority
Lone Hill Park watershed management project
A regional stormwater management project at Lone Hill Park was up for environmental clearance and conceptual design approval. It could improve water quality and park facilities, with final design dependent on construction funding.
AED and CPR requirements on city fields (AB 310)
The field allocation policy would be updated to meet new state law (AB 310) requiring access to defibrillators and CPR training — a player-safety improvement at city sports fields.
Fourth of July celebration costs
Staff suggested skipping an annual Fourth of July event because of its cost and planning burden, keeping the City Birthday and Music in the Park events instead. Residents who love a hometown fireworks show had a stake in the outcome.
Tree Preservation Ordinance exemptions for single-family homes
The city was considering exempting single-family properties from its tree preservation ordinance, which currently restricts tree removal. Homeowners would gain flexibility, but protections would remain on open space, slope, and HOA-maintained areas.
Flock Safety mobile security trailer pilot
A one-year pilot would lease a mobile security trailer equipped with automatic license plate readers, with $35,000 appropriated. Supporters see a crime-deterrence tool; the technology raises privacy questions for some residents.
Halloween safety in San Dimas
Councilmembers urged drivers to slow down Halloween night, especially on the busy San Dimas Avenue strip between Bonita and Gladstone. City staff are checking crosswalks and sidewalks to keep trick-or-treaters safe.
2027 Solid Waste Rate Increase
Waste Management requested a 3.51% increase to San Dimas solid waste collection rates for 2027, continuing year four of a five-year adjustment plan. This affects monthly trash bills for all residential and commercial customers.
Trash Wranglers equipment support
San Dimas High School students running the Trash Wranglers cleanup club asked the city to help sponsor trash pickers and gear — they've grown to about 60 members but ran out of tools. Rotarian Raymond Foster offered to help connect them with funding, and the council voted to add the group's needs to a future agenda.
Bonita Avenue Right-of-Way Vacation
The council and Successor Agency were asked to spend $106,260 to hire Psomas to prepare a cleanup plan for the 344 Bonita Avenue property — a step toward remediating that site.
Parental Access to Youth Incident Reports
Staff reviewed how the city's Kids Fun Club program handles incidents involving children, recommending the city keep telling parents at pickup, documenting the conversation, and handing them a note summarizing their child's involvement.
Public Comment on City Action
A San Dimas hardware store owner says the city damaged his property without giving him proper notice, and he’s asking the community to back him up. If that’s true, it’s a local accountability test: did the city follow its own notification rules, and who pays for the damage?
Termination of the railroad cantilever signal project
A 1915 Santa Fe cantilever signal has sat in storage at Horse Thief Canyon Park since 2021, waiting on donations to build its display at the San Dimas Railroad Museum site in Rhodes Park. Only about $4,000 of an estimated $50,000-$60,000 has been pledged, so the council gave the project 90 days to show real fundraising progress before deciding whether to build it or donate it to another city or museum.
City Hall HVAC boiler replacement
The 25-year-old City Hall boiler needs replacing, but the only bid came in at $226,148 — nearly double the budget. The council rejected it and staff will re-bid after tweaking the plans.